Community FARM APPLICATIONS

Farms win when they implement wind power at their own site.

• Lower overhead: See your electrical costs drop the second your blades start spinning. These savings coupled with state or federal incentive programs can offset your capital costs in several years – allowing you to put more of your profits back onto your farm.
• Energy independence: Your farm may produce beef or corn – now you can also produce your own electricity and take control of your energy future. In the event that you create more power than you need, you may be able to sell it back to the utility (check your state’s net metering laws).
• The “greening” of business: Farms that use wind power in their daily operations are valued by wholesalers who sell their products to discerning consumers who put a premium on sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices.
• Tax advantages: Between the federal investment tax credit and grant program and the rules for claiming depreciation on wind turbines, an investment in wind power today translates to real benefits that farmers can apply to the bottom line and balance operating budgets.
• Stable cost of power: You’ll know what your wind-powered electricity costs will be for 20 years or more so you can safeguard your operational budget against the volatile and increasing costs of energy.

Learn more about the benefits of wind power here.

When considering which turbine to purchase, farm owners will be thinking about siting considerations as well as economics. Often the chosen solution is not based on one of the issues below, but rather a best fit based on each farm’s unique situation. Here are some of the issues that farmers consider in making their turbine choice, and information on how our Northern Power 100 wind turbine can support those needs.

• Load matching: All else being equal, farm owners will want to choose a turbine – or two or three – that can support as much of the farm’s electricity needs as possible to gain the greatest benefit from site-based generation. The Northern Power 100 will produce enough power to make a real bottom line impact on your operations. Call for Northern Power 100 specifications
• Proven operation: As with any major capital investment project, you want to know that your wind turbine is not a concept waiting for a test site. The Northern Power 100’s proven operation in the harsh conditions of remote Alaskan villages gives you comfort and peace of mind that your investment is with you for at least the next 20 years. See the Northern Power 100’s installed base (PDF).
• Aesthetic fit. The turbine’s height profile and operational sound levels will be a consideration if it will be located near residential neighborhoods or on serene farming landscapes. We call the Northern Power 100 “community-scale” because it fits nicely into a community setting, and our advanced technology makes it an extremely quiet machine. More on aesthetics.
• Technology. Not every wind turbine is created equal. A turbine’s technology and design can affect many things including energy capture, maintenance requirements, and sound performance. Because of the Northern Power 100’s advanced Permanent Magnet Direct Drive technology, you don’t need to be located in a wind tunnel or have to implement costly maintenance programs; you can participate in the wind power revolution and stay focused on what you do best – providing sustenance for our world’s population.
• Upfront cost and lead time. Your financial options will help you determine what type of investment you would like to make in wind power. Most Northern Power 100 installations cost approximately $500,000, which for many farms is a more attractive option than a multi-million dollar utility-scale turbine installation. See more about the Northern Power 100 costs and lead time.

Want to know more about how the Northern Power 100 fits your farm’s requirements? Contact us today.

At Northern Power Systems, we are committed to helping farms bring lower, more stable energy costs to their budgets. We do that by providing a leading edge turbine designed for high performance and low maintenance, and surrounding it with supporting products and services that can be tailored to fit any customers needs.

Northern Power Systems’ wind power solution set includes:

Northern Power 100:

• Excellent energy capture, even in marginal wind
• Rugged and low maintenance design
• Quiet operation
• Made in the USA

Supporting products:

Whether you own a dairy operation or a livestock facility, a busy farmer needs quick access to check on turbine performance and energy output. Based on Northern Power Systems’ proprietary SmartView turbine monitoring platform, our web-based tools make it easy to track how your Northern Power 100 is working for you:

• AdminView: Your personalized owner account will allow you to track energy production and turbine operation from any computer in the world – or right from your office PC.
• FleetView: Do you have two or more turbines supporting your operations? You can track their performance from one customer-friendly web interface.

Service and support:

As with every community wind application, we are committed to being with you every step of the way. Some of the ways we do this are:

• Project planning and development advice
• Technical support for your installation project
• Ongoing maintenance support and advice
• Remote turbine monitoring and support

More about Northern Power’s products and services

Farmers just like you are planning their Northern Power 100 project to capture the wind and support their operations. When will you be adding your name to our installed base?

• Full list of Northern Power 100 case studies
• The Northern Power 100 installed base

Farms can consider a few different options for financing their wind power projects.

• Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) for Farms (USA): This program can provide up to $50,000 for planning grants and up to $250,000 in project grants. You can combine this grant with other state or utility programs, as well as the federal Investment Tax Credit (see below). This grant is available to independent and group producers, agricultural or ranch cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.
• NEW! REAP Grant for Agricultural Producers (USA): The new Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) can provide $125,000 in cash grants. You can combine this grant with the federal Investment Tax Credit (see below). This grant is available to agricultural producers, rural small businesses, and rural electric cooperatives.
• NEW! Federal 30% Investment Tax Credit and Monetized Grant (USA): The federal ITC program was recently enacted in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is applicable to any wind power system sized at 100 kW or less. If not utilizing another federal grant like REAP or VAPG, you can choose to monetize the ITC for up-front cash to fund your project.
• State grants and incentives (USA): States like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Vermont offer attractive incentives for wind energy projects. Combined with the federal REAP grant, you could get a turbine spinning and begin reaping economic rewards in just a few years. Check the DSIRE website for the latest information on your state’s programs.
• Tax-deductible depreciation (USA): As part of your economic analysis, you will want to take into account that you can depreciate your wind turbine over five years.
• PPA providers: There are companies whose business model includes developing and owning wind turbines at a local site and then offering the turbine host a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement). The PPA is usually structured so that turbine hosts get the power produced at the site and pay for it at rates that are more stable and often lower than what is offered by the local utility. This may be an attractive option to the farmer who wants wind power but does not have the time for the business aspect of planning for and installing a turbine.

We can help you navigate through some of the incentives available to you as a farm. Contact us today.

Or, for more information on incentives available in your state or at the federal level, check out the DSIRE website.

Learn more about wind power financing here.

Putting up a wind turbine is much like building a house. In general, the steps are as follows:

1. Feasibility
2. Engineering and design
3. Installation
4. Commissioning

It should be noted that the process for many diesel grid owner/operators may involve some additional components, such as:

• Community involvement: You may want to plan on early community notification and involvement for your wind turbine project. This helps with community acceptance and provides some early marketing opportunities.

Your wind project is unique to your needs and desires, but you will have a team of contractors and suppliers supporting you, including Northern Power Systems. Whether you are just getting started or are ready to buy a wind turbine, we can help you. Contact us today.

Learn more about wind power step by step here.

• Wind for Farms (PDF)
• DSIRE website for information on state and federal incentive programs
• Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) for Farms
• REAP grant information